American Ballet Theatre

American Ballet Theatre
Brilliantstring at en.wikipedia · Public domain · source
Name	American Ballet Theatre
Type	Classical ballet
Formation	1939
Founder	Lucia Chase, Richard Pleasant
Location	New York City

American Ballet Theatre is one of the most renowned ballet companies in the world, founded by Lucia Chase and Richard Pleasant in 1939, with the goal of developing a repertoire of classical ballets and promoting the art form in the United States. The company has been associated with many famous dancers, including Mikhail Baryshnikov, Gelsey Kirkland, and Natalia Makarova, who have all performed with the company at various points in their careers, often alongside other notable dancers like Rudolf Nureyev and Margot Fonteyn. The company has also collaborated with numerous choreographers, such as George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, and Twyla Tharp, to create new and innovative works. Over the years, the company has performed at many prestigious venues, including the Metropolitan Opera House and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

● History

The company was founded in 1939 as a touring company, with the goal of bringing ballet to cities across the United States. During its early years, the company performed a range of classical ballets, including Swan Lake, Giselle, and The Sleeping Beauty, often with guest artists like Serge Lifar and Tatiana Gsovsky. In the 1940s and 1950s, the company began to develop its own repertoire, with works by choreographers like Agnes de Mille and Antony Tudor. The company also began to tour internationally, performing in cities like London, Paris, and Moscow, where they often shared the stage with companies like the Bolshoi Ballet and the Royal Ballet. In the 1960s and 1970s, the company experienced a period of significant growth, with the appointment of Mikhail Baryshnikov as artistic director and the addition of new dancers like Cynthia Gregory and Fernando Bujones.

● Artistic Directors

The company has had several artistic directors throughout its history, including Lucia Chase, Oliver Smith, and Mikhail Baryshnikov. Each of these directors has brought their own unique vision to the company, and has played a significant role in shaping its repertoire and style. Kevin McKenzie has been the company's artistic director since 1992, and has overseen the development of many new works, including ballets by Alexei Ratmansky and Benjamin Millepied. The company has also worked with other notable artistic directors, such as Alicia Alonso and Natalia Makarova, who have all contributed to the company's rich history and legacy. Other notable collaborators include Yuri Grigorovich and John Neumeier, who have created works for the company that have been performed at venues like the Palais Garnier and the Teatro alla Scala.

● Dancers

The company has been home to many of the world's most renowned dancers, including Mikhail Baryshnikov, Gelsey Kirkland, and Natalia Makarova. Other notable dancers who have performed with the company include Rudolf Nureyev, Margot Fonteyn, and Sylvie Guillem. The company has also nurtured the careers of many younger dancers, including Polina Semionova, David Hallberg, and Hee Seo, who have all gone on to become principal dancers with the company. The company's dancers have also had the opportunity to work with many notable choreographers, including William Forsythe and Jiri Kylian, who have created works for the company that have been performed at festivals like the Aspen Dance Festival and the Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival.

● Repertoire

The company's repertoire includes a wide range of classical and contemporary ballets, from Swan Lake and Giselle to The Sleeping Beauty and Romeo and Juliet. The company has also commissioned many new works, including ballets by Twyla Tharp, Mark Morris, and Alexei Ratmansky. In recent years, the company has premiered new works by choreographers like Benjamin Millepied and Justin Peck, which have been performed at venues like the Brooklyn Academy of Music and the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. The company's repertoire also includes many works by George Balanchine, including Serenade and Symphony in C, which have been performed at companies like the New York City Ballet and the Paris Opera Ballet.

● Touring and Performances

The company tours extensively, both within the United States and internationally. The company has performed in many of the world's most prestigious venues, including the Metropolitan Opera House, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and the Palais Garnier. The company has also performed at many festivals, including the Aspen Dance Festival and the Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival. In addition to its touring schedule, the company also performs regularly at its home venue, the Metropolitan Opera House, where it has been a resident company since 1980. The company has also collaborated with other companies, like the Royal Ballet and the Bolshoi Ballet, to create new works and perform at venues like the Teatro alla Scala and the Wiener Staatsoper.

● Education and Training

The company has a strong commitment to education and training, and offers a range of programs for dancers of all ages and levels. The company's Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School provides training for young dancers, and the company's Studio Company provides a bridge between the school and the professional company. The company also offers a range of community outreach programs, including Project Plié, which provides ballet training to underserved communities. The company has also partnered with other organizations, like the National Endowment for the Arts and the Dance/USA, to promote dance education and appreciation. Other notable partners include the Juilliard School and the School of American Ballet, which have all contributed to the company's mission to promote dance and provide opportunities for young dancers.